RIO DE JANEIRO — Sought-after starlet Gabriel Barbosa struck twice as Brazil’s footballers finally got their Olympic campaign rolling with a 4-0 demolition of Denmark Wednesday, while their archrival Argentina crashed out.
Barcelona star Neymar is still yet to hit the net, but he played the role of facilitator as Gabriel Jesus and Luan were also on target to end a run of over 200 minutes without a goal after stalemates with Iraq and South Africa raised fears of an embarrassing early exit.
Brazil’s much-needed victory sealed top spot in Group A to set up a quarterfinal meeting with Colombia Saturday.
“We showed a lot of patience, that was important and the fantasy arrived,” said Barbosa, a top target for a host of European clubs including Premier League champion Leicester City.
“It was a beautiful win. The first two games we didn’t play badly, but the goals didn’t come and sometimes the fans focus solely on the result.”
Crisis-hit Argentina didn’t survive a sluggish start as it was dumped out by Honduras, whilst 2012 gold medalist Mexico was also sent packing.
Freiburg striker Nils Petersen scored five times as world champion Germany smashed Pacific islanders Fiji 10-0 to seal its place in the last eight behind South Korea, which beat Mexico 1-0, thanks to Kwon Chang-hoon’s stunning strike in Brasilia.
Colombia moved into the knockout stages by beating Nigeria 2-0 with captain Teo Gutierrez and Dorlan Pabon on target.
The Africans had already done enough to top Group B, rendering Japan’s 1-0 win over Sweden meaningless.
Denmark progressed despite defeat in Salvador as Iraq and South Africa played out a 1-1 draw in the other Group A match.
Portugal secured top spot in Group D with a 1-1 draw against Algeria in Belo Horizonte to set up a last eight meeting with Germany on Saturday.
South Korea faces Honduras and Nigeria takes on Denmark in the remaining quarterfinals.
Manchester City’s new recruit Jesus and Luan put the game beyond doubt either side of half-time before Barbosa fired in a deflected fourth 10 minutes from time.
Argentina needed to win to secure a place in the quarters due to their inferior goal difference with the Hondurans.
However, the Central Americans sprang a huge surprise as Antony Lorenzo’s penalty 15 minutes from time put it in front in Brasilia and, despite Mauricio Martinez’s equalizer deep into stoppage time, Argentina bowed out in embarrassing fashion.
The Albiceleste’s chances were severely hampered by chaotic preparation for the Games.
Coach Julio Olarticoechea, who had been coaching the Argentine women’s team, took charge just weeks before the tournament after Gerardo Martino resigned citing power squabbles at the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and clubs not releasing players.
Legendary former player Diego Maradona has branded AFA’s management a “mafia” and raged against Argentina’s football administrators once more Wednesday.
“Honduras can’t beat us. A country for which I have a lot of respect, but they play baseball. They don’t know anything about football,” he told Radio La Red.
